Im IT Engineering student(23 y. old)... Im thinking about taking OSCP cert but have some questions/doubts... I read almost every review here on forum about course(sternone was very good review/journey) and still not sure so here are my questions and some story about my knowledge...

Started about 7 years ago in cracking/decrypting (before college), switched about 2 years ago to pentest web applications, Im writing paper on pentesting web app. as my graduation paper...I have knowledge in linux/windows worked for some time as admin in small company... At college learnt basics of ASM and programming ARM... Basics of C/C++, in free time I code in C#, python... for work I coded in php and javascript... okey so back on topic...Read most of the books on metasploit,pentesting, watched and practiced metasploit course from security-tube...

1. Is there any measurement if Im good enough to take OSCP course ?2. Can I start course every month or there is some period ( I read that 16th march is deadline in this month) ?3. Is there any more knowledge that I need to have before taking course?4. The certification itself is it good on today job market?5. Please share general ideas etc. on what to do and if I should take this course..

There's no measurement, but it's the best way to learn the basics of pentesting when it comes to courseware. The Labs, may be very tough if you're very new to pentesting. I suggest you become familiar with linux and the console a bit, before diving into OSCP/PWB.It's also useful to have a good working knowledge about computers and networks in general (just the basics), despite the course covers much of this.What you must be willing to do, is to never give up during the PWB/OSCP course and certification, and if you don't understand something, try harder on your own, use the student forums, google, etc. I took OSCE a couple of years ago, it was awesome, despite it was quite tough for me back then, after all, it was my first certification If you're motivated enough, you can do OSCP.

Go for it, you'll struggle but it's well worth it and I think you know more than I did, when I started. The OSCP is well respected in the community, however our friends in HR still don't appreciate as much as we do. If you're looking to work at a pen testing firm, and they don't know what OSCP is, run away and apply somewhere else

globus wrote:1. Is there any measurement if Im good enough to take OSCP course ?

If you really have a solid understanding in each of the topics you mentioned you shouldn't have much problems. The topics you are not familiar with yet should be easy enough to pick up while you proceed through the course.

globus wrote:4. The certification itself is it good on today job market?

It's not very well recognized by HR, but that shouldn't hinder you from taking it.

@cd1zz: While I enjoyed the Offensive Security courses myself quite a lot, I certainly wouldn't go as far as implying that a company might not be good if it hasn't heard about them. I know quite a few individuals you have never heard about them (simply because they don't care about such courses/certifications in general), yet they are extremely skilled and knowledgeable.

I think you're the only one who is going to able to answer that, read the course syllabus, if you believe you have the knowledge and the time to study within a 1 month period, pay for a month, if you feel you need more time after that you can easily extend it.

From reading your post, I personally would take the 3 month from the start, but that's my personal opinion, report back to us when you take the exam, and let us know how you get on!

I forgot to mention that I can spend like 8 hours a day on that course that is one of factors...Right now Im thinking about taking 60 days on labs... I think that should be enough, and maybe some additional time if something goes wrong...

Last edited by globus on Sat Mar 02, 2013 7:30 am, edited 1 time in total.